Complete
the application. (The application consists of both short answer and essay
questions and requires veterans to submit a business plan.)

Submit
Application.

Wait
for the award announcements in April.

Webinar

A webinar to review the application followed by a
Q&A session will be held Wednesday, February 13 at 2:30 p.m. PST.
Registration is limited to the first 500 participants, but a recording will be
posted to the Fellowship web page after it’s completed. To register, go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8095158054240674827.

But before discussing the changes, what exactly are Youth Loans? Youth Loans are loans to individuals to establish and operate moderate sized projects that produce income in connection with participation in programs such as 4-H, Future Farmers of America, or similar programs. The project must be part of an organized and supervised program of work designed to provide practical business and education experience. Furthermore, the project must be planned and operated with the help of an adviser from the organization and produce sufficient income to repay the loan.

You need to be between 10 and 20 years old to qualify for a Youth Loan. The maximum loan amount is $5,000. The loan can be used to purchase livestock, seed, equipment and supplies; buy, rent, or repair needed tools and/or equipment; and pay operating expenses for the project.

What are the latest changes? First, Youth Loans no longer have a rural residency requirement. This means that a person otherwise eligible for a Youth Loan but who resided in Omaha is now eligible for a youth loan to assist with agricultural projects or business. With the growth of urban agriculture and interest in smaller operations, the elimination of the residency requirement is good news for encouraging even younger beginning farmers to enter the profession.

Second, debt forgiveness on Youth Loans will not prevent the borrower from receiving other federal loans. Importantly, this includes federal student loans. Further, if delinquent on a Youth Loan, a borrower is eligible for federal student loans.

If you have any questions about Youth Loans or FSA loans in general, you are welcome to contact us!

We’ve previously discussed the FSA’s microloan program, with its possibilities for beginning farmers. With the end of the year approaching, there is now data concerning how many loans have been made, along with information on how many of the loans went to beginning farmers, veterans, or socially disadvantaged producers.

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has an interesting article that delved into the microloan statistics. Most pertinent for Nebraska and South Dakota producers is that both states have made microloans, just not to the extent of other states. NSAC suggests multiple reasons: total number of producers, acreage size of operations, type of operations, FSA outreach and training on microloans, and other factors.

But what I find most interesting about the article is that promise that microloans hold for beginning farmers. Of all microloans issued, 68% went to beginning farmers. These microloans can (and did) cover many different operations, production methods, and producer needs. Of particular import, the microloans covered these expenses without need to resort to higher-interest options such as credit cards, lines of credit, or high interest loans. Less money paid in interest means more money for the operation and/or living expenses for the beginning farmer.

Ultimately, it is for the beginning farmer to determine whether microloans are a good fit for the operation and farming plans. If you want someone to discuss your operation with and whether microloans are a good fit, you are welcome to contact us. We’re happy to help!

I’ve been driving around Nebraska this week and I have to say — I love fall. The crispness in the air, the harvest coming in, fresh apples. But winter feels like it is rapidly approaching. Before winter happens though, some possible items to keep you warm:

Today, the federal government is open for business. And while that is good news, there will still be some effects felt for a few days:

The USDA’s website is up and will be updated over the next few days. USDA agencies, such as the Farm Service Agency, should be staffed as of this morning.

Because FSA is staffed, that will allow farmers and ranchers to get checks signed by the FSA, if applicable to their situation.

Certain statistical reports from the National Agriculture Statistical Service and World Agricultural Outlook Board will be cancelled or delayed because necessary data was not able to be collected during the shutdown. Cancelled reports are the Crop Production and Cotton Ginnings reports from NASS and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates from WAOB, both scheduled for October 11. The next release date is November 8. Crop Progress reports scheduled for October 7 and October 15 are cancelled. The October 18 Cattle on Feed report is postponed.

For those in South Dakota whose experienced livestock losses due to the blizzard, Senator John Thune (R-SD) has information on Livestock Disaster Assistance on his website. However, due to the expiration of the Farm Bill, assistance may be slow in coming but remember to document your losses for possible future assistance.

As you likely know, the federal government shut down as of midnight eastern time. If you haven’t been to the USDA’s website yet, take a gander and I’ll be right here waiting for your return.

What services are available from the USDA? This chart, if you search for the USDA, outlines what is and is not open. Of interest to this audience, meat and poultry inspections continue, as does grain inspections, and the loans backed by the Rural Development Division will be monitored. The Farm Service Agency is shutdown and in operation only for emergency and natural disaster response. The National Resources Conservation Service is shutdown with the exception of protection of life and property. The Risk Management Agency is shutdown and no employees will be at their offices. Market analysis, forecasts, and analysis will not be provided because the Agricultural Statistical Service and Economic Research Service will be closed.

Please keep in mind that the above concerns the government shutdown and as more information becomes available, this post will be updated. This post does not address the Farm Bill Continuing Resolution which also expires today. More than the Farm Bill situation Thursday.

By far, the topic of conversation among beginning farmers is access to land. I’ve talked to many beginning farmers about this very topic. How, I am asked, can I obtain access to land?

Before answering that question, we should start with what we know. According to the Kansas City Federal Reserve, Nebraska agricultural land prices for irrigated land increased 32% and non-irrigated land increased 26.8% from the previous year. Preliminary data on Nebraska cash rent values as of February 1, 2013 tell the same tale — cash rents are up statewide, depending upon the type of land, from 19 to 30 percent. (Keep in mind, however, that the preliminary data is broken down by region so the numbers vary more at that analysis level.)

With the above reality, how to obtain access to land? I can’t promise the magic bullet, but I do have some ideas:

Take a long, hard look at your (proposed) operation and determine how much land you need, not how much land you want. You may be able to lease smaller parcels and obtain the land your operation needs. This may also include considerations of geography, i.e. whether you should move if you have the opportunity to secure land. It will also include considerations of the type of land you need and housing possibilities.

Search for internships and other job opportunities to gain experience and network with other producers. Internships and other opportunities are listed and/or promoted in various locations, including Beginning Farmers.

Consider leases, rather than ownership, especially when building your operation. If you know an operator, present the operator with a business proposal to lease the property. The proposal can include utilization of programs such as Nebraska’s Beginning Farmer Tax Credit. More information about the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit is here.

There are several land-matching programs out there. The Center for Rural Affair’s LandLink program is a nation-wide program where land owners with beginning farmers. The Center also has a comprehensive list of other land-matching programs by state and region.

There are websites available which list agricultural land for sale. A Google search will find numerous resources.

Keep in mind various financing strategies, both for your operation and real estate. The Farm Service Agency has a variety of financing strategies for operating loans to real estate loans.

You don’t have to in your twenties to consider these strategies. In fact, according to the latest research, many beginning farmers (those with ten years or less experience) are between the ages of 35 and 64. There is no reason you cannot take some time to consider what you want to farm, how you want to farm, where you want to live, and craft a long-term strategy.

There are a lot of details in this post and Legal Aid of Nebraska is happy to help you with any questions about your particular operation. Feel free to contact us!

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This website and blog is for educational and informational purposes only. Please contact legal counsel in your state (or contact us to determine if you qualify for Legal Aid of Nebraska's services) to discuss your specific questions.

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Legal Aid of Nebraska's Farm and Ranch Project is the oldest continuously operating farm legal services program in the United States. Due to a grant from the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, Legal Aid of Nebraska has the opportunity to further its range of services to Nebraska and South Dakota farmers and ranchers.